Teacher's Guide to Vulnerable Giraffe Prompt

It’s Wildlife Writing Wednesday, and we’ve compiled some additional information for you as the instructor in case:

you want to offer any introductory discussion for your students before releasing the prompt to them

it is helpful for you in your evaluation/understanding

this understanding helps you to alter the prompt for grade level

PROMPT:

Did you know Giraffes are vulnerable to endangerment/extinction? What factors might cause a species to become endangered or extinct? What role do organizations like Save The Giraffes or International Rhino Foundation play in saving them?

Quick Facts:

The wild Giraffe population has decreased by 36-40% in the last 30 years.

Save The Giraffes was established to help save and grow wild Giraffe populations.

The photo: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch’s newest Giraffe. Beverly was born at the end of June. She is the 37th Giraffe born in 35 years the Ranch’s existence.

For every 3.5 Elephants in the wild, there is one Giraffe.

In 1999, the wild giraffe population was more than 140,000. Today, the number has dwindled to less than 98,000.“People are often surprised to find out giraffes are an endangered species, but they’re disappearing fast,” says Fred Bercovitch, PhD. “Their landscape is going because of agriculture, because of mining, because of civil war; militias are killing giraffes just to eat the meat; and then there’s drought and global climate change. Giraffe have no place to go. We’re watching a tragedy unfold before our eyes.”

Save The Giraffes 501(c)(3) is a not-for-profit organization formed by giraffe advocates to preserve and protect giraffes in their natural habitat. The team joined forces with giraffe experts and enthusiasts around the world to serve as ambassadors and warriors for the declining Giraffa camelopardalis populations.

“Save The Giraffes was started so we can work together to stop giraffe from disappearing from the planet,” says Bercovitch.

Save The Giraffes began only a few months after Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) were listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Formerly recorded as “Least Concern,” the realization of a 36-40% decline in the wild giraffe population shifted Giraffa camelopardalis in 2016 to the IUCN category of “Vulnerable,” which meant the species was threatened with extinction.

Save The Giraffes encourages and supports conservation science and education projects that are designed to raise the awareness of the plight of giraffes and help stop the precipitous decline in giraffe populations in Africa.

“Visitors have always asked what they can do to help giraffes in the wild,” explains Save The Giraffes Board Member Tiffany Soechting, an animal specialist at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. “That was a huge part of the inspiration in creating Save The Giraffes. That way, people from all over the globe can do their part with the conservation of giraffes.” Giraffe advocates are encouraged to learn more at SaveTheGiraffes.org.

“Each of us have a deep love and appreciation for wildlife and conservation,” says Save The Giraffes Board Member Catherine Land, “so we have made it our goal to share that same love and appreciation with people around the world in hopes that we might be able to help save giraffes.”

EDUCATION

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